Twenty-five years ago, on 25 July 2001, Realtime Register became an accredited SIDN .nl registrar.
Looking back, it’s incredible to see how much has changed.
Back then, domain registrations were handled through an email interface. Domain transfers? Those happened by fax. There were no authorization codes, and many of the processes we now take for granted simply didn’t exist.
Since then, we’ve seen the introduction of DRS5 and EPP in 2010, countless improvements in security and automation, and now another major milestone is just around the corner with the introduction of HelloRegistry on 1 September.
During those 25 years, Realtime Register grew to almost 700,000 .nl domains, that we manage for more than 1,500 partners in over 60 countries, becoming one of the top three .nl registrars.
What we’re most proud of, however, isn’t just the growth.
It’s our team, our partners, and our ongoing commitment to making the internet safer, more reliable, and easier to manage. Throughout the years we’ve worked closely with SIDN, actively testing new developments, providing feedback, and helping shape the future of the .nl namespace.
We’ve also been closely involved with the .nl Registrar Association (VVR) since its foundation in 2011, with several Realtime Register colleagues serving on the Marketing Committee and as chair of the association.
As we celebrate this 25-year milestone, we’re also preparing for the next chapter. The transition to HelloRegistry will be one of the biggest changes for .nl registrars in years. We’re ready for it, and we’re proud to help many registrars make that transition through the RTR Registry Gateway.
With more .nl accreditations running on our platform than ever before, we’ll soon be managing well beyond 700,000 .nl domains, making Realtime Register the largest platform for .nl accreditations.
A huge thank you to our customers, partners, SIDN, the VVR, and of course our colleagues, past and present, who have been part of this journey.
Here’s to the next 25 years of building a stronger, safer internet together.